Chrysanthemum plant named Chipper

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum named Chipper having a dwarf habit, free breaking, spoon ray florets, eight week response, and an ability to be grown year around in 9 cm. pots with little growth regulation.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Chipper.

Chipper is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new Chrysanthemum cultivars with eight (8) weekresponse, bronze color, spoon-tipped form, and dwarf habit suitable for9 cm. pots. Such traits in combination were not present in previouslyavailable commercial cultivars.

Chipper was originated from a hybridization made by Leonard H. Shoesmithin a controlled breeding program in Westfield, Woking, England in 1977.The male and female parents are unknown at this time. Chipper wasdiscovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of theparentage by applicant in November, 1978 in a controlled environment inWest Chicago, Ill., and given the code name F8-373-YS.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Chipper was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in February,1979 in a controlled environment in West Chicago, Ill. by a technicianworking under formulations established and supervised by Leonard H.Shoesmith. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated inMarch, 1979 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Chipper are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Chipper has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in West Chicago, Ill. and Parrish, Fla. under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Chipper, which in combination distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Dwarf habit.

2. Eight (8) week response.

3. Free breaking, (5-10 breaks).

4. Spoon ray florets.

5. Ability to be grown year around in 9 cm. pots in more areas, andrequiring few B-9 treatments.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to Chipper is the unpatented cultivar Starlet. Incomparison to Starlet, Chipper has a more yellow flower color and hassmaller diameter flowers. Chipper is not recommended as a garden mum inthe north. The flower form and plant habit of Chipper when grown in 9cm. pots are similar to those same characteristics of Starlet.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescensecharacteristics of Chipper, with colors being as nearly true as possiblewith illustrations of this type. The photograph is in black and white,with a single flower being colored to accurately depict true flowercolor.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined atapproximately 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 17, 1985 under natural and fluorescentlight at Bradenton, Fla.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv Chipper.

Commercial.--Daisy spray, four (4) inch pot.

I. INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Spoon daisy.

Diameter across face.--3-5 cm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Brightyellow.

Color (under surface).--9 C.

Color (top surface).--9 B.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Yellow.

Color (immature).--Lime green.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present in disc florets only; numerous.

Gynoecium.--Present in both ray and disc florets; numerous.

II PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--10-15 cm. above edge of pot when properly grown in 9 cm. pot.

B. Foliage:

Color (under surface).--147 B.

Color (top surface).--147 A.

Shape.--Ovate and deeply lobed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chryanthemum namedChipper, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized byits dwarf habit; free breaking; spoon ray florets; eight week response,and by its ability to be grown year around in 9 cm. pots with littlegrowth regulation.